The acoustic dynamics in meeting rooms are critical in ensuring clear communications during meetings and conference calls. If speakers in a meeting room cannot hear each other, then there is the danger that important points will be missed. Even if this does not happen, meetings take up more time than necessary because speakers have to repeat themselves or pause to explain points they have made because the audience missed some keywords. The other reason why you need proper acoustics in your meeting room is to ensure that any discussions that are conducted remain private. Adjacent offices should not be able to hear what is going in the meeting room as it also becomes a distraction and lowers productivity.
If you are struggling with the acoustic of your meeting room, here are some of the things that you could do to improve the sound quality of your conference room.
White Noise
One of the ways that you can improve acoustics in your meeting room is through white noise. White noise can be created through a variety of ways such as a water feature or a white noise machine. Regardless of the way it is created, white noise helps to cover sound coming from the meeting room, ensuring that it cannot be heard outside.
Soundproofing Drywall
A second approach that corporates can use to ensure better acoustics in their meeting rooms is to install soundproof drywall. Unlike regular walls, drywall features a higher mass density, which ensures that sound vibrations do not pass through, or are significantly reduced.
Acoustic Curtains and Fabrics
This is another approach that is relatively inexpensive as it does not involve any construction work. These fabrics are made using MLV (Mass-loaded Vinyl) which is a form of heavy fabric that can absorb sound waves and block ambient noise. The curtains come with a special frame that makes the setup process remarkably easy.
Acoustic Panels
These function in the same way as the acoustic panels and are also just as easy to set up. If the meeting room is part of a larger room that was partitioned, then acoustic panels are perfect for the job. Acoustic panels work well with hanging baffles which help to soundproof the ceiling and thus improve the sound dynamics of your meeting room.
Acoustic Materials or Audio Equipment
Many people try to solve meeting room acoustic problems by investing in audio equipment. If the sound dynamics of a meeting room are bad, even the most expensive audio equipment will fail to improve the acoustics. This is because sound is partly shaped by the design of the room as sound waves bounce against surfaces such as walls. In addition, audio equipment will not prevent sound from escaping the meeting room. Therefore, if you don’t like the acoustics of your meeting room, it might be useful to try out some of the suggestions given here before investing in expensive equipment.
At Materials Inc., we have a variety of building materials that come with different STC ratings for you to choose from. Our high-quality doors, wood panels, and decorative veneers are top class and designed to give your meeting room a splendid look. Get in touch with us today for a quote.